Coin operated time controlled switch mechanism



Dec. 6, 1932. J. L. VAUGHN COIN OPERATED TIME CONTROLLD SWITCH MECHANISM.

Filed Nov. 28. 195o Ihn n h "1 III m I I Patented Dec. 6, 11932 UNITED' STATES PATENT oFFlcF.

JOHN L. VAUGHN, 0F CICEBO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO O. D. JENNINGS & COMPANY, 0F

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS COIN OP'EBATED TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH MECHANISM Application mea November 2s, 1930, serial No. 498,577.

This invention relates to coin operated time controlled switches ofthe type employed to control an electric circuit.

It is frequently desirable 'to maintain an uninterrupted flow of current with such a device butin prior` devices of this nature the switch was opened. for a brief period occa sioned by the discharge of one coin and the replacement of it by another. This interruption occurred even when the coin chute was full of coins.

l It is the purposeof this invention to provide a switch of this character which will remain closed and maintain an uninterrupted flow of current as long as there are coins in the coin `chute and in which the coin is the actuatin medium but does not constitute part oft e circuit. It is a further object to provide a switch of the above type in which the circut will be unbroken during the continuous passage of coins through the chute.

Other features and resultant advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description given in connection with the drawing in which Fig. l is a front elevation of a coin operated time controlled switch constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is ari end elevation withbthe coin chute removed, and

Fig. 3 is a detailed end elevation of the coin chute and switch mechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention the device is one that is suitable for controlling the current supply` to a radio receiver or equivalent apparatus. It is apparent that any other apparatus may be controlled accordingly. The current from any suitable source is brought in through two `wires 1 and 2 and goes out through a pair 14 to a terminal strip 16. The other outgoing.

lead 4 is cornected to` terminal strip 16 as is the lead to motor 8. It follows from the above wirin that when switch contacts 11 and 12 are c osed the motor 8 as well as the apparatus connected to wires 3 and 4 ceive current from wires 1 and 2.

The coin controlled time operatingvmechanism for actuating switch contacts 11 and 12 will now be described. In general the motor 8 and its associated train of gears 18 are mounted between a pair of spaced end plates 19 the latter 'being supported lupon aback plate 21 and being preferably formed of some insulating material.

The coin chute 22 is also supported by one l The switch arm 13 is secured to the upper end 'of a switch lever 28 pivoted intermediate its ends at 29 upon an insulated bushing 31. The lower end. of switch lever 28 terminates in an arcuate contact portion 32 which, due to the action of a spring 33, will normally -lie in the arcuate cutaway portion 26 thev curvature of the portion 32 being substantially the same as the cutaway edge of chute 22. The end 32 will thereby be engaged by the peripheral edge of the coins as they drop through the chute. The action of coins passing through the chute is to move the lower end 32 o'f lever 28 to the left about pivot 29 to close contacts 11 and 12 the twopositions being clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

In order to' provide a time control for the contacts 11 and 12, a motor 8 is provided which drives the train of gears -18 which in turn drive a final shaft 34. Shaft 34 carries an arm 36, the outer end of which is prowill rej vided with a `latterly -projecting roller 37. The length of arm '36 and roller 37 is designed to enter between the cutaway edge of chute 26 and the arcuate end 32 of lever 28 to engage the coins as well as the arcuate member 32. The arm thus performs a dual function, that is, roller 37 engages the periphery ofthe coins to eject the, coins from the chute pushing the coins past lever 27 and engages arm 32 to hold switch contacts 11 and 12 closed during the ejection of the coin to permit the entry of asuccessive coin without permitting an opening movement ol. lever 28 to open contacts 11 and 12. Therefore, as long as there is an uninterrupted succession of coils in the chute, contacts 11 and 12 will be maintained closed and the motor and outgoingcircuit will receive a continuous flow of current.

The operation of the foregoing apparatus is believed to4 be apparent from the above description but will be brieiiy summarized. Upon the insertion of a coin in chute 22, the coin will drop by gravity and engage end 3 of lever 28. The weight of the coin will move lever 28 to the left against the action of spring 33 and close contacts 11 and 12.

The closing of contacts 11 and 12 will establish a circuit from lines 1 and 2 to the motor 8 and also to the outgoing lines 3 and 4. The establishment of the circuit to motor A8 will cause a rotation of arm 36 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of arm 36 in due time will carry roller 37 between the end and the arcuate edge of cutaway portion 26 Where the roller 37 will engage the lowermost coin in the chute and eject the same from the chute by pushing the coin beyond lever 27. At the same time roller end 32 of lever 28 will maintain contacts 1l and 12 closed during the ejection of the lowermost coin and will permit the entry of a succeeding coin without permitting opening of contacts 11 and 12. It is understood ofcourse that the time interval during which contacts 11 and 12 are closed is determined by gear reduction of gear train 18.

It is obvious that the term coin is used to include any coin check, token or similar article and that many changes may be made in the details of constructiony without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a com operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute, a switch operable by a coin in said chute, means for retaining said coin in operative position in saidvchnte., means for ejecting the coin from said chute at the expiration of a predetermined time period and means for maintaining said switch against movement for a predetermined time period after said coin has been ejected.

2. In a coin operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute, a switch operable by 37 by its engagement withl a coin in said chute, means for retaining said coin in operative position in said chute to hold said switch closed, a motor for controlling the period during which said switch is closed and means for engaging a coin to discharge the same and to simultaneously maintain said switch closed while a coin is being ejected from its operative position.

3. In a coin operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute for conducting coins through said mechanism, a switch contact, a switch lever, a second switch contact movable by said lever, said lever extending into proximity to said coin chute and adapted to be engaged by a coin as it passes down said chute, means for retaining said coin in operative position in said chute to hold said switch closed, a motor for controlling the period 'for which said switch contacts are closed and a member arranged to engage said switch lever to maintain said switch contacts closed during the ejection of a coin from said chute.

4. Ina coin operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute for conducting coins through sa'id mechanism, a switch contact, a switch lever, a second switch contact movable by said lever, said lever extending into proximity to said coin chute and adapted to be engaged by a coin as it passes down said chute', means for retaining said coin in operative positionV in said chute to hold said switch closed, a motor for controlling the period for which said switch contacts are closed, and a member adapted to eject a coin from said chute and to engage said lever while ejecting said coin to maintain said switch contacts closed during the ejection of said coin. j

5; In a coin operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute for conducting coins through said mechanism, a switch contact, a switch lever, a second switch contact movable by said lever, said lever extending into proximity to said coin chute and adapted to be engaged by a coin as it passes through said chute, means for retaining said coin in operative position in said chute, a motor for controlling the period for which said switch contacts are closed, an arm actuated by said motor and arranged to eject a coin from said chute and to engage said lever while ejecting said coin to .maintain the switch contacts closed during the ejection of said coin.

6. In a coin operated time controlled switch mechanism` a coin chute for conducting coins through saidvr mechanism, said chute having a cutaway portion, a switch contact, a pivoted switch lever, a second switch contact secured to said lever, said lever having a portion thereof extending into the cutaway portion of said chute whereby the lever may be engaged by a coin as it passes through said chute. means for retaining said coin in operative position in said chute to hold said switch closed and a motor for controlling the period during which said switch contacts are closed and having means associated therewith for ejecting saidv levery and maintain said switch contacts' closed during the ejection of'saidcoin. In witness of the foregoingI aix'l my coin after a predetermined period ofl time.

7. In a coin operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coii chute for conduct-v ing coins through said Amechanism, said chute having a cutaway portion, a switch signature. .1.

contact, a pivoted lswitch lever, a. secondi4 switch contact secured to said lever, said lever having a portion thereof extending into thecutaway portion of said chute whereby i the lever may be engaged by a coin aslit passes down said chute, means for retaining said coin in operative position 1n said chute i to hold said switch closed,a motor for controlling the period during which said switch contacts are closed and a rotary arm arranged to enter between said lever and said chte to" eject the operating coin from said chute.

8. In a coin operated' time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute for conductin coins through said mechanism, said chute 'aving a cutaway portion, a switch contact, a pivoted switch lever, a second switch contact secured to said lever, said lever 'having a porv tion thereof extending intothe'cutaway portion of said chute wherebyithe lever may be engaged by a coin as it passes through said chute, a motor for controlling the-period durt ing which said switch contacts'arexclosed and a rotary-arm arranged toenterfbetween said lever and said chute to eject theoperating coin from said chute and to engage said lever and maintain said switch contacts closed during the ejection of said coin.

9. In a coin operated time controlled switch mechanism, a coin chute for conducting coins through said mechanism, 'said chute having a cutaway portion, a switch contact, a pivoted switch lever, 4a second switch contact secured to said lever, said lever having a lportion thereof extending into the cutaway portion of said chute whereby the lever may be engaged by a coin as it passes down said chute, a motor for controlling the period dur-` ing which said switch contacts are closed and a rotary arm actuated by said motor and arranged to enter betweensaid lever and-said l the cutaway portion of said chute whereby the lever` may be engaged by a coin as it passes through said chute, a motor for controlling the period during which said switch contacts are closed and a rotary arm actuated by said motor and arranged to enter between said lever and said chute to eject the operating coinfrom said chute and to engage said iis los. 

